Polk Top 10 - LKLD October 2026
ROOTSTOCK
Oct. 3, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Bok Tower Gardens. Shop from the top plant vendors, take a hayride through the Pine Ridge Reserve, and enjoy live music throughout the day. October marks the start of the Florida gardening season, and there is no better way to celebrate than a day in the Gardens. boktowergardens.org
RAINBOW ROOTS
Oct. 4, noon at Lake Mirror Auditorium in Lakeland. Hosted by the Rose Dynasty Foundation, the Rainbow Roots Festival is a safe and inclusive space that uplifts LGBTQ+ voices through history, art, music, local vendors, and more. More info on FB @rosedynastyfoundation.
FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL
Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at The AGB. This free event is designed for visitors of all ages, with fun activities throughout the Museum. Enjoy games, art activities, facepainting, balloon-bending, magic shows, music, and scavenger hunts to explore the galleries! agbmuseum.org
HALL OF FAME GALA
Oct. 6, 6 p.m. at Lake Eva Event Center. The Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance will honor seven Hall of Fame inductees, celebrate recipients of six Arts & Culture Awards, experience the “Best of Polk” Visual Art Exhibition, and enjoy a plated dinner among community leaders, artists, and supporters. polkarts.org/gala
ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Oct. 7, noon at Bonnet Springs Park. The ATHENA Leadership Awards recognize local women excelling in service to their community and assistance to women in attaining professional excellence and leadership skills. lakelandchamber.com
PINKALICIOUS
Oct. 9, 10, & 11 at Lakeland Community Theatre. Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. This lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, which turns her pink from head to toe, a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com
BIENVENIDO A BSP
Oct. 10, 3 – 9 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. Celebrate the flavors, colors, and rhythms of Hispanic and Latino cultures with live bands, an artisan market, a live DJ, food trucks, and so much more! Admission is free, and open to all ages. Find the schedule and pre-purchase parking at bonnetspringspark.com.
POLK STATE FALLFEST
Oct. 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Polk State Winter Haven. For nearly four decades, FallFest has provided local families with a fun-filled Saturday. The event is free and open to the public. FallFest features more than 100 booths from local vendors, businesses, and college clubs. polk.edu
LAKELAND RECORD FAIR VIII
Oct. 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. Browse from 25+ vendors selling new and used LPs, CDs, cassette tapes, memorabilia, and more! For the first time ever, you can participate in a Halloween costume contest! Plus, they’ll have food and coffee for purchase. More info on FB @JesseCarlVinyl.
LAKE MIRROR CLASSIC
A weekend of fun benefiting local charities. Oct. 16, 5 – 9 p.m. is Visit Central Florida’s Hot Rod Rendezvous. On Oct. 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. is the Concourse d’Elegance and a Downtown Classic Car Show from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Oct. 18 is the Sunday Road Tour from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Grand Marshal is Bobby Rahal. More info at lakemirrorclassic.com.
